Why Viking over Pioneer?

I was always a Honda man, until I wanted more than a 500cc Foreman and fuel injection. Once I got a Grizzly, I never considered Honda again. Hence me purchasing the Viking. The Pioneer is a great machine I am sure, but I have heard complaints bout the tranny. More so bout the lack of a true low gearing option. I still think Honda makes great machines altogether, but until they top Yamaha im stayin here.

I am not a honda guy at all. The pioneer concept is great but there is no room in them. And that transmission is just not a good thing in a utv or atv imo. Ive seen plenty of hondas not be able turn tires over in mud bc of not having low. They are lacking in the motor dept with that tired design they use. They still use old fashioned pushrod engine. There 700 makes under 40hp if I remember right. I wasnt a Yamaha guy either. I have always been team Polaris and still have several bc they have never let us down. I webt with the Viking bc the design is great. I only have a few small complaints about it. Biggest is the noise. And of course id love to see a twin in it. But I do love my Viking and its been pretty good to me. Had one small problem with front driveshaft slipping. Its made to but once it does it has to be replaced. That took two months bc of no parts available regularly for them yet.

no ride red for me, yamaha all the way

I'm a bit biased to be honest and it's why im far more likely to get the viking than the pioneer.

The Honda transmission is the main reason I didn't go with it. To many complaints about it not being low to work and not high enough for play. I have ridden plenty of Rincons and would agree.

Ive always had Yamahas never let me down, tried a Polaris in 2010, and it was lemon till i sold it...Never again, never have had anything Honda, dont have any interest to.

As long as Polaris keeps making machines I will always have plenty of work.

vixx said:

Both debuted at similar times, they're priced competitively with each other, offer similar characteristics, both companies are known for their relative reliability... I'm just curious what it is that had you going blue instead of red?

Is it a brand thing?

Dealer convenience?

Is there a dichotomy between the two that I've missed?

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I'm still in shopping mode but the Pioneer is off my list. Ease of entry/exit is terrible on the Pioneer and I felt cramped in the driver position and I'm only 6'1". IMO driver ergonomics is key and it just wouldnt work or me. The Viking is much much better in this area. Still sitting on the sidelines as I've narrowed my list down to the Viking and Polaris Ranger XP900. Both are equally comfortable in the drivers seat but I really like the tilt steering and adjustable seat on the Ranger 900. Will wait to later in spring to test drive both as there's too much snow in Ontario right now.

Polaris makes some really decent machines. They are very capable and perform well. I am personally always concerned about there long term reliability. My Rhino was rock solid for 8 years and has great resale and there is no reason to think the Viking won't be the same. Have fun shopping in the spring


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I was looking hard at both the Pioneer and the Viking. I actually was set on buying the Pioneer until I sat in one. I didn't like the upright "old Gatorish" style straight up and down seating position. I sat in the Viking and loved the way it felt. I felt like I was sitting in something and not on top of something. I really like the Viking. It is my first Yamaha. I was always a Honda fan.

FTMS said:

The Honda transmission is the main reason I didn't go with it. To many complaints about it not being low to work and not high enough for play. I have ridden plenty of Rincons and would agree.

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This ^^^^. Owned Honda's nearly all my life, got (3) Honda Generators. The fact of not having a " Low" range really pushed me to the Viking...JMO

Narrowsboy said:

Polaris makes some really decent machines. They are very capable and perform well. I am personally always concerned about there long term reliability. My Rhino was rock solid for 8 years and has great resale and there is no reason to think the Viking won't be the same. Have fun shopping in the spring


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^^This. You will be amazed at the power and the noise level of the ranger 900xp. You can barely hear it when its idleing. The viking has plenty of power to be sporty but not quite enough to break axles constantly. The 900xp is on another level though. I have ridden both and I chose the viking for proven reliability. At my deer lease me and my buddy have rhinos and everyone else has rangers. They have alot more issues than we do. They have broken way too many axles and have had too many wiring harness issues. The 900xp is the best of rangers though. Make sure you buy an extended warranty and keep the factory tires on and you should be fine. Or buy and Viking and sleep well at night! lol! Good luck!

Pioneer Vs Viking?

Agree with prior comments + want to sit in Viking, not on Pioneer..maybe it's a safety feeling ey?

ive sat in a pioneer and i agree that you really feel like you are sitting ONTOP of something. the viking you feel like you are sitting inside something. its the very upright seating position of the pioneer

ed zachary! every time I pondered my purchase and the historical Honda reliability, I immediately decided against the Pioneer once I sat in it - without any further technical consideration... sort of reminded me of the old John Deere's or similar to the original side by sides...

In any case, all fine products, just not up with current advancements, thus offering less choice to us consumers...

Narrowsboy said:

Polaris makes some really decent machines. They are very capable and perform well. I am personally always concerned about there long term reliability. My Rhino was rock solid for 8 years and has great resale and there is no reason to think the Viking won't be the same. Have fun shopping in the spring


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I always like their UTV's for work, the Brutus is a great work vehicle, no complains but i can't just have it, would need a viking!